Cable stripping apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for stripping a three-wire armor covered, lead jacketed, insulated flat electrical cable comprising a guide roll means for feeding the cable into a stripping means; a stripping means having adjustable cable cutting means for longitudinally cutting the cable in a plurality of places to adjustable depths and die means for stripping the lead jacket and the insulation from the wires; and a pulling means for evenly pulling the cable wires from the guide roll means and through the stripping means. 
     A method is also provided for stripping the cable, wherein the cable is fed into a stripping means, the cable is longitudinally cut in multiple predetermined places to adjustable depths, the armor cover is removed, and the lead jacket and insulation are removed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for stripping an insulatedelectric wire. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatusfor stripping a three-wire, armor covered, lead jacketed, insulatedelectrical cable.

Presently known commercially available cable stripping machines handleone stripping operation at a time. Such machines require considerablehandling of the cable and considerable equipment. Such machines aregenerally designed for high speed operation and require numerous speedcontrols. The present invention provides a relatively slow speedapparatus which is effective, simple to operate and does not requireexpensive controls.

Various types of apparatuses have been devised to strip insulated wire.Some of the more recent different types are illustrated by U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,051,749; 3,964,142; and 3,994,188. These devices are all quitedifferent from the instant invention.

Also, such presently known commercially available cable strippingmachines cannot handle flat, armor covered, lead jacketed, insulatedcable without substantial modification.

It is therefore a primary object of the instant invention to provide anapparatus or assembly which will strip a flat, parallel three-wire,armor covered, lead jacketed, insulated cable in a continuous operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable strippingapparatus, wherein the various components of the cable such as steel (orother armor), lead (or other similar type jackets), rubber (or otherinsulation) and copper (or other electrical wire) can be easilyreclaimed as separated materials.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cable strippingapparatus which can be easily adjusted to handle various sizes ofarmored electrical wire or cable.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cablestripping apparatus which is relatively inexpensive and which can beeasily operated.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become morereadily apparent from a consideration of the description and drawingshereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for stripping anarmored cable or electrical wire, particularly, a flat, parallelthree-wire, armor covered, lead jacketed, insulated cable. The apparatuscomprises a stripping means which includes cable guiding means, aplurality of adjustable blades or cutting means, an armor removal means,a lead stripping means, and an insulation stripping means, a cablepulling means for pulling the cable from a feed means through thestripping means, and a means for feeding the cable into the strippingmeans.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the cable stripping apparatus of the instantinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the guide roll assembly or cablefeeding means of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the guide roll assembly taken along line3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the guide roll assembly;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the guide roll assembly taken along line5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the stripper means or section of theapparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of the stripper section of theapparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the stripper section taken along line 8--8of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8A is a sectional view of the stripper section taken along line8A--8A of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the cable pulling means orsection of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of the cable pulling section of theapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the lead stripping die and apartially stripped cable at an intermediate stage of the strippingoperation showing a portion of the cable after the armor (steel) hasbeen removed, the lead jacket being removed and after the lead jackethas been removed;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the insulation stripping dieand a portion of the cable just prior to the insulation being removed,the insulation being removed and the cable wires after stripping hasbeen completed;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the armor removal unit and aportion of the cable after passing through the cutting unit showing thesteel armor being removed;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view of the electrical cable prior tostripping operations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the cable stripping apparatus ofthe present invention is indicated generally at A. The apparatus Acomprises three basic components or sections, a guide roll assembly orcable feed means B, a stripper assembly or cable stripping means C and apuller assembly or cable pulling means D. Each of these sections isdescribed in more detail hereinafter.

Although forming no part of the cable stripping apparatus, per se, acable reel assembly or cable supply means E is schematically shownillustrating one method or means by which a cable 20 may be supplied tothe apparatus A. The reel assembly E includes a suitable stand or frame21 on which a reel 22 containing or holding a supply of cable 20, isrotably mounted on a removable axle or pin 23 suitably positioned in theframe 21.

The stripper assembly C includes a table or frame 30 having legs 31, 32(not seen), 33 and 34 (not seen) on which parallel frame members 35 and36 (not seen) are mounted therein. The frame 30 is preferablyconstructed from steel such as angle iron members which are welded orotherwise joined together. The frame can be made from any other suitablematerials, and should be strong enough to support the various componentsmounted or attached thereon. A plate 37 is bolted to the outside of legs31 and 32 and the guide assembly B is mounted thereon. A motor supportframe 38 is welded to the underside of the frame 30 and compriseshorizontal members 38a and 38b (not seen) and vertical members 38c and38d (not seen). Horizontal members 38a and 38b are attached to tablelegs 31 and 32, respectively, and to vertical members 38c and 38d,respectively. Vertical members 38c and 38d are attached to frame members35 and 36, respectively. A protective cover 39 is suitably attached tothe motor support frame 30 and covers the moving parts of a motormounted on the frame 30.

The guide roll assembly B includes a pair of somewhat L-shaped supportbrackets 40 and 41 (not seen) welded to a rectangular plate 42 which isbolted on plate 37. A pair of adjustable guide rollers 43 and 44 (notseen) are positioned on rods 45 and 46 (not seen), respectively, whichare welded to support brackets 47 and 48 (not seen), respectively, whichare welded to a plate 49 welded to and joining support brackets 40 and41. A guide and straightening roller assembly 50 is bolted on the upperportion of the plate 37 above the brackets 40 and 41.

The stripper assembly C comprises an armor cutting section or unit 60,an armor removal or peel off unit 70, a lead shield removal unit 80, andan insulation or rubber stripper unit 90, each of which are mounted onthe frame 30.

The puller assembly D is positioned adjacent stripper assembly C andcomprises a frame 100, a cable pulling unit 110 mounted thereon and amotor 120 mounted on the frame 100 for driving the pulling unit 110. Theframe 100 is also preferably constructed of steel or other suitablematerials and includes legs 101, 102, 103 and 104 joined together bylower frame members 105 and 106 and upper frame members 107 and 108.Pulling unit 110 is mounted on upper frame members 107 and 108, andmotor 120 is mounted on lower frame members 105 and 106.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the guide roll assembly or sectionB is illustrated in more detail. Support brackets 40 and 41 are weldedto rectangular plate 42 which is welded to legs 31 and 32. Plate 42 hasa plurality of slots or openings 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d thereon forreceiving the bolts 42e, 42f, 42g and 42h, respectively. Plate 42 isbolted to support plate 37 by means of the hex bolts and correspondingnuts (not seen). Plate 37 has suitable openings (not seen) therein forreceiving bolts 42e, 42f, 42g and 42h, respectively. The slots in plate42 enable the brackets 40 and 41 to be vertically adjusted as requiredor desired.

Plate 49 is welded to support brackets 40 and 41 and has suitableopenings (not seen) therein for receiving bolts 49a, 49b, 49c and 49d.Rod support brackets 47 and 48 also have suitable bolt receivingopenings therein. Brackets 47 and 48 are bolted to plate 49 by bolts 49aand 49b and bolts 49c and 49c, respectively, and corresponding nuts (notseen) on each bolt.

Guide rollers 43 and 44 are merely slipped over rods 45 and 46,respectively, and supported by brackets 47 and 48, respectively. Theguide rollers freely rotate about their respective rods. Preferably, theopenings in support brackets 40 and 41 are longitudinal ones and permitthe rollers to be adjusted for the width of a particular cable 20.

An adjustable upper roller 130 and a fixed lower roller 131 arepositioned oppositely and spaced apart from each other and betweensupport brackets 40 and 41. Roller 131 is rotatably mounted on threadedbolt or pin 132 in which the ends thereof are inserted in openings orholes 40a and 41a. The ends of bolt 132 extend sufficiently outward frombrackets 40 and 41 to receive flange bushings 132a and 132b and nuts132c and 132d. A gear 133 is fixed to roller 131 and positioned on pin132 between the roller 131 and support bracket 40. A small gear 134 ispositioned below roller 131 and below gear 133 so as to mesh with thelatter. Gear 134 is attached to axle 135 so as to rotate with it. Axle135 is positioned in bushing 136 which is inserted in opening 40b orbracket 40. A removable hand crank or handle 137 is attached to theexterior end of axle 135. Axle 135 may be moved inwardly so as to movegear 134 out of mesh with gear 133.

Adjustable roller 130 is rotatably mounted on axle or pin 138 which isinstalled on yoke 139. The ends of axle 138 are inserted in openings139a and 139b in yoke 139. A set screw 140 is fixed in the upper end ofyoke 139 and is threadedly engaged with yoke support 141 by means ofthreaded opening 141a. Rotation or turning of screw 140 permits yoke 139and upper roller 130 to be raised or lowered as desired.

Guide straightening and roller assembly 50 includes a movable guide andstraightening roller or wheel 51 and fixed guide and straighteningroller or wheel 52. Assembly 50 is attached to plate 37 on frame 30 bymeans of plate or support members 53. Plate 53 had a plurality of boltreceiving slots 53a, 53b, 53c and 53d. The plate 53 is attached to plate37 by means of hex bolts 53e, 53f, 53g and 53h, which are inserted intheir respective slots in plate 53 and openings therefor in plate 37 andsuitable nuts. The slots in plate 53 permit the plate 53 to be fixed ina desired position.

Upper horizontal bracket 54 and lower horizontal bracket 55 are weldedto plate 53 and provide the support for fixed wheel 52. A pin or axle52a is inserted in hole 54a in bracket 54 and hole 55a in bracket 55.Wheel 52 and bushings 52b and 52c are positioned on axle 52a.

A horizontal bracket 56 and a vertical bracket 57 are also welded to theplate 53 and these brackets along with lower horizontal bracket 55provide the support for movable yoke 58. Yoke 58 includes a pair of arms58a and 58b joined together in a parallel spaced apart relationship bymember 58c. Openings 58d and 58e are provided in their respective armsor brackets 58a and 58b for receiving the ends of axle or pin 51a onwhich wheel 51 is positioned. A set screw 58f is fixed in member 58c andis threadedly engaged with bracket 57 by means of threaded hole 57a.Rotation of screw 58f moves yoke 58 and wheel 51 inwardly or outwardlyas desired.

Plate 53 has a relatively large slot or channel 53i cut therein and inalignment with the space between wheels 51 and 52 for allowing cable 20to pass therethrough.

A cable hold down guide or guide means 59 comprises a pair of spacedapart bars or members 59a and 59b with bolt receiving openings on eachend thereof and which are attached to plate 53 by bolts or othersuitable means. Plate 53 has slotted openings therein for receivingbolts 59c and 59d in upper bar 59a and bolts 59e and 59f (not seen) inlower bar 59b. The slotted openings in plate 53 enable the guide means59 to be suitably adjusted to receive cable 20 in the desired alignment.Cable 20 passes through channel 53i in plate 53 and between upper guidebar 59a and lower guide bar 59b.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 8A, stripper assembly C includesarmor cutting unit 60, armor removal unit 70, lead shield removal unit80 and rubber stripping unit 90, and motor M and associated parts fordriving unit 60 all of which are suitably mounted on table 30.

Cutting unit 60 is mounted on base plate or support member 61 which issuitably fixed on upper frame members 35 and 36 of frame 30. Circularsaw blades 62 are mounted on shaft 63. The blades are in parallelalignment with each other and spaced apart to provide a desired cuttinglocation. Locking nuts 63a and 63b are provided for locking the bladeson the shaft. Shaft 63 is positioned in pillow blocks 64 and 65 whichare suitably attached to plate 61. Roll pins 66 and 67 are suitablyattached to each end of shaft 63 and inserted in pillow blocks 64 and65, respectively. A large chain sprocket 68 is attached to one end ofshaft 63 and held thereon by set screw 68a. A small chain sprocket 69 isalso attached on shaft 63 between sprocket 68 and block 64.

Also mounted on plate 61 are pillow blocks 161 and 162 with shaft 163positioned therein. A movable coller 164 with circular saw blade 165fixed thereon is installed on shaft 163 between pillow blocks 161 and162. The collar and blades may be moved along the shaft to position theblade in a desired cutting position. A small chain sprocket 166 isattached to one end of the shaft 163 exterior of pillow block 162 and inalignment with small sprocket 69.

Motor M in motor mount M' on frame support members 38a and 38b has adrive shaft 142 on which chain sprocket 143 is attached to an endthereof. Sprocket 142 and sprocket 68 are operably connected together bychain 144. Sprocket 69 and sprocket 166 are operably joined together bysmall chain 145.

The motor M is preferably an electrical one and includes suitableelectrical connections and switches therefor. The motor could also be agasoline type or any other suitable type. Motor M and its associatedshafts, sprockets, chains and related parts provide the driving forcefor rotating cutting blades 62 and cutting blade 165. Motor cover 39 andsprocket cover 146 provide protective shielding of moving parts.

Cutting unit 60 also includes a cable guide unit or assembly 150 (FIG.8) which is mounted in plate 61 below cutting blades 62. The unit 150comprises an adjusting block 151 with adjusting screw 152 threadedlyengaged therein by means of threaded opening 151a. Screw 152 extendsthrough an opening 61a in plate 61 and is removably attached to cableguide 153 by means of bearing 154. Four coil springs 155 are inserted inchannels or openings 153a therefor in cable guide block 153. A cableguide 156 is positioned on cable guide block 153. Guide 156 has achannel 156a therein for receiving cable 20. The cable guide 156 is cutand sized for the particular size cable to be stripped. It is removable,and cable guides suitable for use with other size cables can besubstituted therefor.

Angle iron guide members 157 and 158 are attached to the upper side ofplate 61 and retain cable guide block 153 in position and enable saidblock to be moved vertically within the confines thereof.

Armor removal unit 70 is mounted on bar 71 attached to frame members 35and 36 and in alignment with cutting blades 62 and 165. As best seen inFIG. 13, the armor removal unit 70 comprises a pair of paralleledlyspaced apart armor stripping members 72 and 73 bolted or otherwisesuitably attached to mounting members 74 and 75 (not seen),respectively, suitably fixed or positioned on the bar 71. Strippingmembers 72 and 73 are substantially identical. Member 72 has a more orless flat face 72a for contacting and stripping away the outer steelarmor of the cable 20. Preferably, the member 72 also has a tapered edge72b. The members 72 and 73 are so positioned in relation to each otherand the cable 20, that as the cable 20 is pulled toward the unit 70, thesteel armor is stripped from the cable so as to divide the cable intoits three separate lead jacketed wires. One wire passes outwardly of themember 72, one wire passes outwardly of member 73 and the center wirepasses between the members 72 and 73.

Lead shield removal unit 80 is mounted on bar 81 attached to framemembers 35 and 36. As best seen in FIG. 11, unit 80 includes threespaced apart lead stripping members 82 removably secured by screws orother suitable means to support bar 83. Each of the members 82 has asemi-circular shaped channel or groove 82 extending across the upperside thereof which is sized for the cable being stripped. Different sizelead stripping members are used for different sizes of cable. One edgeor face 82b of the members 82 is tapered or slanted. The members 82 alsopreferably have a notched or cut-out portion 82c on the upper edgethereof.

Rubber stripping unit 90 includes bar 91 suitably attached to framemembers 35 and 36 with roller 92 mounted on shaft 93 the ends thereofwhich are removably positioned in suitable openings in shaft supportmembers 94 and 95. Roller 92 has three parallel grooves therein sized tothe particular sized cable of which the rubber or insulation is to bestripped therefrom.

The unit 90 also includes bar 96 on which three rubber stripping means97 (FIG. 12) are attached thereto in a spaced apart parallelrelationship. Rubber strippers 97 are also sized to the particular cablebeing stripped. Various size strippers may be interchanged as desired.Each of the members 97 has a somewhat pointed edge 97a which is shapedso as to strip the rubber from the cable wires. The other strippingmembers 97 are substantially identical and are positioned on the bar 96in a parallel and spaced apart manner so that each edge 97a will stripthe rubber insulation from the three rubber insulated wires as the wiresare pulled past the strippers 97.

Preferably, the stripping unit 90 also includes three cutting blades 98which are mounted paralleledly and spaced apart on a shaft 98a in thesomewhat U-shaped mounting bracket 99 positioned on top of the members97 and attached to bar 96. The blades 98 are positioned so that they arealigned with the saw cuts in the insulation on the respective wiresdirected there towards. The blades 98 assure that the rubber insulationis fully cut should the saw cuts be inadequate for subsequent strippingof the cable.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, puller assembly D comprises frame 100,pulling unit 110 and motor 120. Frame 100 is positioned adjacent from30, particularly adjacent legs 33 and 34 thereof, and includes legs 101,102, 103 (not seen) and 104 (not seen), lower frame members 105 and 106(not seen), upper frame members 107 and 108 (not seen) and upper crossmembers 111 and 112. Legs and frame members not seen are comparable totheir opposite leg or member shown.

Motor 120 is supported by motor unit 121 fixed to frame members 105 and106. The motor is preferably an electric one, but could be any suitabletype, such as a gasoline motor or other type. The motor also includesthe usual electrical connections and switches necessary for theoperation thereof. The motor 120 has a drive shaft on which is mounted asprocket. A chain 122 is connected to the motor sprocket and to pullingunit sprocket 113 mounted on shaft 114. Drive roller 115 is positionedon shaft 113. Roller 115 has a knurled surface thereon. Shaft 113 ispositioned in pillow blocks 116 and 117 attached to the underside ofangle frame members 107 and 108, respectively.

Pulling unit 110 also includes a pair of upper rollers 118 and 119mounted on shafts 210 and 211, respectively. Shaft 210 is supported bypillow blocks 212 and 213 positioned on the upper side of frame members107 and 108, respectively. Shaft 211 is supported by pillow blocks 214and 215 also positioned on the upper side of frame members 107 and 108,respectively. Pillow blocks 212 and 213 are attached to turnbucklescrews 216 and 217, respectively, which are threadedly engaged inturnbuckle mounts 218 and 219, respectively fixed to the upper sides offrame members 107 and 108, respectively. Pillow blocks 214 and 215 areattached to turnbuckle screws 220 and 221, respectively, which arethreadedly engaged in screw mounts 222 and 223 also attached to theupper sides of members 107 and 108, respectively. Rotation of thevarious turnbuckle screws moves the rollers 118 and 119 horizontally andinwardly or outwardly as desired.

The cable to be stripped is a three-wire armor covered, lead jacketed,insulated flat cable. Such a 3-phase wire armored cable typicallyincludes three multi-strand copper wires individually insulated in theusual manner with rubber such as EPDM. The three insulated wires areencased or surrounded by a lead jacket. Around the lead jacket is abraided material such as a woven cloth. Around the woven cloth is aninsulating tape such as PVFT. Finally, the entire assembly is encased orsurrounded by an armored jacket of steel. In some instances, aninsulating tape may also be wrapped around the steel armor.

As seen in FIG. 14, the cable 20 includes three separate multi-strandwires 20a, 20b and 20c. Each of the wires is covered with rubber orother suitable insulation 20d, 20e and 20f, respectively. Around therubber on each wire is lead jackets 20g, 20h and 20i, respectively.Around the lead jackets of each wire is an insulated tape covered wovenor braided cloth 20j, 20k and 20l, respectively. Finally, a steel armor20m encases or surrounds the three covered wires. In the drawing, someof the components of the cable are exaggerated for purposes ofillustration. Such types of cables are well known in the art.

It can be appreciated that such a cable may be manufactured in a varietyof ways using various materials. Basically though such cable includesthree insulated electric wires which are separately encased in a leadjacket and which lead jaceketed wires are protected by an outer armor.For purposes herein, the term "cable" means any type of lead jacketed,armored cable. The terms "copper wire" or "wire" means any suitable wireof one or more strands of electric conducting material. The terms"rubber insulation" or "rubber coated", "rubber" or any combinationthereof means any suitable insulation material placed around the copperwires. The term "lead jacket" means any type of jacketing materialencasing the insulated copper wires such as lead, lead alloy or similartypes of materials. The term "armor" or "steel" or any combinationthereof means the outer protective casing or covering which is made ofsteel or any other suitable materials. The term "woven cloth" means anytype of braided material or other material which may be used for suchpurpose. The term "tape" means any type of insulating or other tapewhich may be used for such purpose.

Although the apparatus illustrated is particularly constructed forstripping a 3-phase armored cable, it can be appreciated that theapparatus can be readily varied to strip a cable having any number ofwires. More or less cutting or saw blades, lead stripping members ordies, lead shield removal members and rubber stripping members can beinstalled as desired. Parts of the apparatus necessary to handle aparticular size of cable can readily be installed.

In the operation of the apparatus of the instant invention, theapparatus must first be adjusted to handle the stripping operation of aparticular size armored cable.

In the guide roller assembly 50, adjustable guide rollers 43 and 44 arepositioned so that they are spaced apart sufficiently to enable thecable 20 to be guided thereby and readily pass therebetween. Upperroller 130 is vertically adjusted so that the cable will be guided byand readily move between rollers 130 and 131, over lower roller 131 andunder upper roller 130. Movable roller 51 is horizontally adjusted sothat the cable may be guided by and readily moved between roller 51 andfixed roller 52. The cable also passes through hold down guide 59. Withthe foregoing adjustments, the assembly 50 is ready to guide the cable20 into the proper position for cutting and stripping operations.

In the armor cutting unit 60, the three saw blades 62 are positioned sothat three parallel and suitably spaced apart cuts may be madelongitudinally in the cable 20 so as to cut from the upper side of thecable down to the copper wire, i.e., so as to make three distinct cutsthrough all parts of the cable except the copper wire. The fourth sawblade 165 is adjusted so that the cable may be cut longitudinally fromthe bottom through the steel armor. This latter cut is preferably mademore or less in the center of the cable; however, such center positionis not critical. A cable guide 156 of a proper size to guide the cable20 therethrough is positioned under the blades 62. The guide 156 isadjusted to proper height for cutting the cable by means of adjustingscrew 152 which raises or lowers cable guide block 153 as necessary.

Armor removal unit 70 is positioned so that the steel armor may beremoved from the cable 20 after the cable has been cut by blades 62 and165.

The lead shield removal unit is adjusted so that the lead shield aroundthe cable 20 may be stripped therefrom after the cable has passedthrough the armor removal unit 70.

Rubber stripping unit 90 is also adjusted to a proper position to enablethe rubber insulation to be stripped from the cable 20 after the cablehas passed through the lead shield removal unit 80.

After the various components of the apparatus A have been adjusted orpositioned for receiving and handling a particular size of flat armoredcable, one end of the cable 20 is fed from the reel 22 between guiderollers 43 and 44 and between rollers 130 and 131. The roller 131 isthen turned by means of hand crank 137 and drives the cable 20 forwardbetween rollers 51 and 52 and into cutting position. Motor M is actuatedso that the rotary blades 62 and 165 make the desired cuts in the cable.The cable is then pulled thru the armor removal unit 70, which stripsthe steel armor from the cable as it is moved forward. The cable ispulled forward thru the lead shield removal unit 80 which strips thelead shield from the cable. The cable is then hand stripped of therubber and fed thru the rubber stripping unit 90. The cable is pulledforward and the three wires are fed into the pulling unit D. The wiresare fed over the roller 118, under roller 115 and over roller 119. Therollers 115, 118 and 119 and adjusted so that the 3 wires are firmlyheld and can be moved therethrough. Operation of the motor 120 drivesrollers which pull the wires forward where they can be wound on asuitable reel or other container.

Once the wires are positioned in the pulling unit, operation of themotor 120 causes the cable to be pulled from the reel 22 and through thevarious cutting and stripping operations. The operation is continueduntil all or a desired amount of the cable is stripped.

As best seen in FIG. 13, a portion of the cable 20 is illustrated afterthe cable has passed through the armor cutting unit 60. The saw blades62 have made three distinct cuts 20x, 20y and 20z from the top downthrough armor 20m, through taped cloth 20j, 20k and 20l, through leadjackets 20g, 20h and 20i, through rubber insulation 20d, 20e and 20f,and to wires 20a, 20b and 20c. Saw blade 165 has made bottom cut 20pwhich extends thru armor 20m.

As the cable 20 is pulled past the armor stripping unit 70, the faces72a and 73a of the members 72 and 73, respectively, force the armor 20mfrom the cable 20 so as to fall away in pieces 20m', 20m", etc. Theseseparate covered wires as illustrated by taped cloth covering 20j, 20kand 20l emerge from the unit 70.

As seen in FIG. 11, the three separate taped cloth covered wires 20j,20k and 20l are pulled through the lead shield removal unit 80 so as tostrip lead jackets 20g, 20h and 20i and their respective coverings 20j,20k and 20l from the wire. Three separate rubber covered wires asillustrated by rubber insulation 20d, 20e and 20f emerge from the unit80.

As seen in FIG. 12, the multi-stranded wires 20a, 20b and 20c are pulledthru the rubber stripping unit 90, rubber insulations 20d, 20e and 20are removed. Blades 98 are positioned so that a blade is aligned witheach of the cuts 20x, 20y and 20z, respectively. Each blade cuts anyrubber not cut by the saw blades 62 down to the wires 20a, 20b and 20c,respectively. This assures that all rubber insulation will be strippedfrom the wires.

The apparatus A enables flat armored cable to be completely strippedwith relative ease. Adjustments can readily be made to handle aparticular size cable.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention isillustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size,shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustratedconstruction, may be within the scope of the appended claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for stripping or removing the outerinsulating casing from a multi-wire armor covered, lead jacketed,insulated flat electrical cable comprising:a. support means; b. feedingmeans on said support means for feeding the cable into a strippingmeans; c. said stripping means being fixed on said support means forreceiving the cable from the feeding means, said stripping means havinga plurality of cutting means for longitudinally cutting the cable in aplurality of places of predetermined depths and a plurality of die meansfor successively stripping the armor, lead jacket and insulation fromthe wires of the cable; and, d. pulling means adjacent said supportmeans for pulling the cable through the stripping means.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the stripping means includes an adjustablecable guiding means.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cuttingmeans includes a plurality of rotary saw blades spaced apart in aparallel relationship.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cuttingmeans includes a first cutting means comprising a plurality of rotarysaw blades spaced apart in a parallel relationship for making aplurality of longitudinal cuts on one side of the cable to apredetermined depth and a second cutting means comprising at least onerotary saw blade for making at least one cut on the other side of thecable to a predetermined depth.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid die means includes a plurality of armor removal dies.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said die means includes a plurality oflead stripping dies.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said die meansincludes a plurality of insulation stripping dies.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said die means includes a plurality of armor strippingdie means, a plurality of lead stripping die means and a plurality ofinsulation stripping die means in longitudinal alignment in the orderstated.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pulling unit comprisesa plurality of rollers for holding and driving the cable and a means fordriving at least one of the rollers.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said pulling unit comprises a pair of spaced apartlongitudinally aligned asjustable upper rollers and a lower drive rollerso positioned beneath said adjustable rollers that cable wires may beheld between the upper and lower rollers and driven longitudinally awayfrom the rollers.